Volume 2, Chapter 5: Audience Room in the Royal Castle of the Capital, Feizi
It had been a long, arduous ordeal.
That luxurious carriage had a foldable roof that could open up.
It was probably designed so that those riding in the carriage could show themselves and wave to the people of the Kingdom of Conchue.
Even though it wasn't necessary, the carriage that carried us chose to take the road where the citizens of Conchue were lined up, waving numerous flags. The carriage had its roof wide open as it ran.
As the citizens of Conchue saw our shabby appearance and the number of people, their attitude changed rapidly.
The people waving flags disappeared.
The cheers faded away.
The citizens of Conchue whispered to each other, looking at us.
The atmosphere was incredibly heavy.
Even for me, a lone specialist, this atmosphere was tough to handle.
Already, not just Lieutenant Colonel Kunito but even Major Yoshiaki had their eyes rolled back.
They seemed to be unconscious while sitting.
Princess Miyabi stood frozen with her hand raised.
Even the Murakami brothers were frozen.
Only Lieutenant Murasaki continued waving her hand.
It felt like an idol who couldn't sell out a concert and desperately waved to a few fans.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what expression I should make in times like this."
"I'm sorry. I don't know what expression I should make in times like this."
"I'm sorry. I don't know what expression I should make in times like this."
Aoi must be broken too. She kept quietly repeating Aya's lines.
I think I'm broken too.
"I think you should smile."
I replied to Aoi without thinking.
Finally, we arrived at the royal castle, but the rumors had already reached ahead, and the atmosphere inside the castle was heavy as well.
It felt somewhat nostalgic.
I felt as if I had returned to Yamato.
Led by the castle guards, everyone except me walked stiffly like Edo period mechanical dolls.
Everyone seems to have gone mad.
The doors to the audience chamber in the royal castle opened.
In the center of the audience chamber, which was one size larger than Yamato's royal palace, stood an elegant woman in her forties dressed in attire similar to traditional Chinese clothing in my original world.
She was Empress Shihan, the ruler of this country.
"Welcome, Savior Jiusiju-dono. Thank you for coming," the empress greeted with a smile.
Even though I'm a NEET, being called a savior and considering the tragic situation just a while ago, I feel like prostrating myself.
"I'm sorry. To speak honestly, I think it's a mistake to call me a savior."
Since everyone around me is still broken and I'm the only one who can speak, I had no choice but to apologize first.
Then, the empress suddenly burst into laughter.
"No, I believe it is no mistake that you are seen as the Savior Jiusiju by the Sacred Trees. After all, there are forty-eight Sacred Trees in this world, and forty of them, centered around Yamato, recognize you as the Savior Jiusiju-sama. This is an undeniable fact."
The empress smiled and answered.
"Well, however..."
"That will become clear if you meet our Sacred Trees tomorrow morning."
"I see."
Even if it's something the Sacred Trees say, as someone who was treated as a NEET after the battle with Alexis, I wonder if this time I'll end up as a slave or something as the savior in the end.
It's not really amusing.
At that moment, there was an explosion outside the royal castle.
Multiple explosions, in fact.
The armored guards rushed in and knelt as they entered the audience chamber.
"We have a rebellion!"
The empress frowned.
My broken comrades also snapped out of their daze and looked around.
"Who started the rebellion?"
"It was Duke Gakushun of the imperial family."
"Why?"
"Because... he believed that someone like the Savior Jiusiju should not be associated with the Sacred Trees..."
My, that hurts to hear.
If he saw me in my pitiful state today, he would think even more poorly of me.
"Suppress it quickly!"
"B-but the General of the Imperial Guards, General Guoqui, has been stabbed..."
"W-what!"
"It seems that some of the guards are supporting Duke Gakushun."
"What a foolish thing to do!"
The Empress held her head in her hands and sighed.
"Anyway, for now, we should evacuate from this castle. It seems we need to be cautious of the Thunderous Roar of the Savior, Lord Jiushiju. The enemy is using the underground waterways that are spread out beneath us to attack."
"I have already instructed the Chinzai General to make preparations. Urgently summon General Rishin of the Chinzai region to suppress the situation."
"However, it will take time. Anyway, for your safety, please evacuate."
The guards desperately advised the Empress.
"Then, first let's evacuate Lord Jiushiju, the Savior. It is a promise between the Holy Trees. If anything were to happen here, it would be a breach of our honor."
My companions understood the severity of the situation and their faces tensed.
"Excuse me. So, are the enemies only in the underground waterways?"
I asked the guard.
"Yes, that is correct."
The guard answered with a stern expression.
"What is the total number of enemies?"
"We are not entirely sure, but it's around a thousand or so. The number of rebels is small, but they have scattered and are attacking separately by utilizing the underground waterways. It will take considerable time and result in significant damage to defeat them."
"I see. Well then, may I ask, is it permissible to kill them all?"
"What?"
The guard's face was filled with astonishment.
"No, it's impossible if you mean capturing them, but if killing them all is allowed, I have a good plan."
I proposed to the Empress.
"Rebellion is punishable by death, so killing them is not a problem, but what exactly is your plan?"
The Empress tilted her head and looked at me.